April 21     Dongara – Perth 

Last morning of the trip… Last time waking to the sun through the canvas… Last time packing our little house into it’s bag… Last time loading Big Blu to the roof… Last few hours watching the countryside out the window… Come lunchtime we would be home!

We packed up camp to the musical backing of Europe’s ‘Final Countdown’ and headed over to the Seaspray Beach Cafe for a special breakfast to celebrate the end of our amazing journey. Eggs Benny for Chelle and I, Bacon and Eggs for Rissa and Pancakes for Zach… Delicious!

With our taste buds and appetites well satisfied it was time to hit the road for the final leg of the journey. We headed south down the Brand Highway through the returning holiday traffic. Even after 4 months of driving almost everyday in all kinds of traffic, it still amazes us how little regard some drivers have for their own and others safety when dealing with country roads and road trains!

Thanksfully the traffic thinned out as we headed further south and we cruised into Gingin for a quick toilet break and stretch of the legs. The kids spent a few minutes on the vintage playground equipment in the park before we piled back in for the drive through the Swan Valley.

The traffic picked up again as we came past Bullsbrook, but due to the lower speed limit and proximity to town, the stupid factor was less of an issue. As we drove down Roe onto Tonkin it became slightly surreal driving roads that we know so well for the first time in months. There were just enough changes to make us feel like we had been away for ages while the familiarity made it seem like we had been driving them yesterday.

We rounded the corner to home and the house looked amazing! Along with our house-sitter, Chelle’s Mum and Dad has been have been looking after the house and yard while we had been gone and they went over and above with immaculate lawns and fresh mulch and flowers in the garden beds!

Inside the surprises continued, a beautiful ‘Welcome Home’ banner adorned the dining room, there was food in the pantry and fridge, easter eggs on all bedsides, new towels in the kids bathroom and even new plants at all the windows down the side of the house! It was an incredible blessing to come home too!

The kids headed straight to the Lego room while Chelle and I just sat and relaxed for the afternoon and reflected back on our amazing adventure.

We have been on the road for 110 Days, have travelled 23000 kms, setup and packed down 60 Campsites, visited 122 Settlements, towns or cities (And passed through many more!), crossed state borders 10 times and travelled through all 8 States and Territories (and their respective capital cities).

Along the way we have visited 37 historical sites and museums as well as 33 natural landmarks. We have caught barges across rivers, ferrys across the ocean, ridden on steam trains, swum under waterfalls, built snowmen, seen rare treasures, raced go carts, visited theme parks, experienced live shows, ridden iconic trails, collected shells on stunning beaches, run away from cyclones, climbed mountains, forded streams (but we didn’t follow any rainbows!). We have travelled over smooth roads, rugged trails and sandy beaches and watched the sun rise and set in some incredibly beautiful and amazing places!

It has been a whirlwind, roller-coaster of a trip, we have been blessed to have seen and experienced so much in such a short time and we have loved sharing it all with you!

Big Blu may be finished with this Big Adventure, but one things for sure… This won’t be the Last time!

Thanks for travelling with us!

Adrian, Michelle, Zachary, Clarissa and Big Blu!